Bulmer House, Petersfield

Client: Housing 21

Petersfield, Hampshire (South Downs National Park)

Executive summary from entrant:

WWA’s planning leadership unlocked 56, 100% affordable extra care homes and a community day centre within the South Downs National Park, one of the UK’s most sensitive policy and landscape contexts. Following a committee refusal on design grounds, WWA reset the project through a design charrette, a Planning Performance Agreement and a dual-track resubmission and appeal strategy. This resulted in unanimous committee approval for a revised scheme and a successful appeal for the original proposal, de-risking delivery and accelerating much-needed senior housing. The project demonstrates how collaborative, policy-led planning can deliver high-quality, affordable later living while enhancing heritage and landscape character.